Warning: Contains Potential Spoilers for Uncanny X-Men #17!

The M3GAN. The horror-comedy was a major box office success and repeatedly went viral for the equally sassy and sadistic nature of the movie’s AI android antagonist. Now, Marvel Comics can compete with the franchise’s killer doll by introducing a mutant who slays just as much.

Marvel recently released the cover and first details for Uncanny X-Men #17, written by Gail Simone with art by Luciano Vecchio. David Marquez’s cover art is made to resemble a movie poster, giving readers their first look at a new in-universe summer horror blockbuster titled “Murder Me, Mutina!”.

The issue will come out while this summer’s M3GAN 2.0 is in cinemas, and the X-Men franchise’s new murderous mutant girl somewhat resembles the budding horror icon. However, it seems that Mutina is much more than just a movie villain, and is about to terrorize the heroes of the Louisiana team.

Is the X-Men’s New Mutant Villain Really Inspired by M3GAN?

Uncanny X-Men #17 by Gail Simone, Luciano Vecchio, Matthew Wilson, and VC’s Clayton Crain, with cover by David Marquez

Mutina may not turn out to be all that similar to M3GAN, but the two do share enough traits to suggest that M3GAN may have served as inspiration for the X-Men’s terrifying new villain. Mutina doesn’t look like a dancing android, but she is a girl with a cutesy fashion sense that starkly contrasts with her killer tendencies. Even the title, “Murder Me, Mutina!,” could be a commentary on fan reactions to the character. Since the Uncanny X-Men arc appears to draw inspiration from horror films in general, M3GAN may be just one of several genre villains referenced through Mutina.

The young X-Men recruits known as Outliers have been featured in the series since the beginning, and now Mutina, who appears to be around their age, could become the first villain these heroes-in-training can truly call their own. While little is known about the arc’s details, there are hints on the cover. Letitia Leech is listed as playing the role of Mutina, and while the X-Men already have a character called Leech, she seems to be brand-new. Another curious addition on the poster is the name Elliott Spence, which could reference Elliott Spencer, otherwise known as the Hellraiser franchise’s Pinhead.

The Uncanny X-Men Are Finally Returning to Their Slightly Scarier Roots

The Series Thrives When Leaning Into Horror Influences

With the exciting new addition of the murderous Mutina, the series doubles down on what it does best: delivering increasingly unsettling, horror-tinged vibes.. The series’ first big villain, The Hag, was already a monstrous and frightening foe for the team to go up against, and the current Dark Artery story will finally reveal the creepy Endling that’s been haunting the series since the start. As the horror movie-inspired arc takes shape, Uncanny X-Men is officially doubling down on its status as the scariest X-Men team title, embracing qualities that the series has excelled at most.

Readers will have to wait until this summer to discover more about Mutina, and if she really can be seen as Marvel's version of a M3GAN-like character. As Marquez’s cover art already teases the villain’s brutal violence, with sharp blades dripping with blood to match the totally blood-splattered hallway, Mutina is already a seriously threatening foe for the team to go up against. Also, with Simone writing, it seems likely that the character may be just as darkly comedic as M3GAN. As the X-Men lean into horror, Mutina could prove to be one of Marvel’s most terrifying villains yet.

Uncanny X-Men #17 will be available July 23, 2025, from Marvel Comics!